In the NIL era of college football, the quarterback is the most valuable position in the game. Knowing how many teams need quarterbacks and the money one can earn, it’s rare for a kid to sit willingly behind the starter and learn. Most quarterbacks now leave at the end of the season if they’re relegated to backup status. What Arch Manning has done at Texas is rare, and Cam Newton believes it has been the right decision.
Cam Newton Defends Arch Manning’s Decision To Remain At Texas
“Go somewhere that’ll get you to the league in 3 years.”@CameronNewton breaks down why Arch Manning made the right choice at Texas, and why playing early isn’t always the goal pic.twitter.com/eR8gBmDPQt
— 4th&1 with Cam Newton (@4thand1show) July 2, 2025
As one of the top prospects in the country, Manning would have started as a freshman for 95% of teams in America.
Texas was not one of them. Despite knowing Quinn Ewers would be the starter for at least one season, Manning still committed to Texas. During his freshman year, Manning was the third-string quarterback behind Ewers and Maalik Murphy.
As a sophomore, Manning moved up the depth chart to No. 2 behind Ewers. Manning played in 10 games last season, starting two.
Now, Manning finds himself as the starter in year three with the program.
While many called for Manning to transfer, Newton supported the young quarterback’s decision, believing it would be better for his development.
“A lot of these parents and a lot of these players get so jaded off of the fact that ‘Hey, I’m trying to play early.’ No no no no no no, scratch that,” Newton said on his 4th&1 podcast. “Go somewhere that after three years you can put yourself in a position to go to the league. That doesn’t mean that I’m going somewhere where I can play early or start. Just because you’re starting doesn’t mean you’re getting developed.”
Cam Newton Compares Arch’s Situation To His With Tim Tebow
Newton is remembered for having one of the best individual seasons in college football history. In 2010, Newton led the Auburn Tigers to a 14-0 record, including a victory in the national championship. Newton won nearly every individual award, including the Heisman Trophy.
While Newton ended his collegiate career at Auburn, he began it at the University of Florida. While playing for the Gators, Newton backed up Tim Tebow, one of the greatest collegiate quarterbacks ever.
Newton credits Tebow for showing him what it meant to be a quarterback who was a leader. Newton believes Arch will benefit from sitting behind Ewers.
“I’ve always felt like I was more talented than Tim Tebow. But I needed Tim Tebow to show me what I lacked. Tim Tebow was an unbelievable leader, verbally and by actions,” Newton said. “Arch will be a fool if he has not learned anything from Quinn Ewers. How he prepared, how he led his team, and just how he handled and managed the expectations for being a quarterback at a university like Texas.”
Manning and the Longhorns open up against Ohio State.
